BACKGROUND: The goal of the study is to assess the prevalence and risk factors of HIV in pregnant women in the North-East rural area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. METHODS: We undertook an ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: The goal of the study is to assess the prevalence and risk factors of HIV in pregnant women in the North-East rural area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. METHODS: We undertook an exploratory study on women attending the antenatal care during the study period (from December 2002 to December 2004) in the referral General hospital of the health catchments' area of Oicha (DRC). Women with gestational age equal or above 36 weeks were included in the study. After a first test using rapid test Abbott Determine locally, a second crossing check was performed in the referral HIV laboratory in Liege (Belgium). RESULTS: Among 5016 participants tested, 94 were positive (prevalence of 1.9% [CI95% 1.5-2.5]). Following factors predict a risk of being positive among participants: the statute of displacement (OR: 5.77; IC95%: 3.59-9.29); widowhood and divorces (OR: 4.47; IC95%: 1.47-13.60); mobility related to the profession of the husband (OR: 4.00; IC95%: 2.36-6,75); living the countryside (OR: 1.67; IC95%: 1.06-2.62; p: 0.0258). [less ▲]